Calendar of Events (10 – 13 January 2019)

Here’s a quick look at events in the Las Cruces area the weekend of Jan.10-13, 2019

Thursday, Jan. 10

In the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum’s January Culture Series, “Michael & Peter Hurd,” set for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Michael Hurd will tell anecdotal stories about his father, the great New Mexico artist Peter Hurd.

Michael, an outstanding artist as well, will share memories of his father, his time on the ranch and elsewhere, some funny, all interesting. The free presentation is being held in conjunction with the museum’s new exhibit, “Drawn to the Land: Peter Hurd’s New Mexico.” The exhibit will be open beginning at 6:30 p.m. for a reception and Michael Hurd will speak at 7 p.m.

For more, visit nmfarmandranchmuseum.org.

The Rio Grande Theatre will kick off its new Throwback Thursday film series with a screening of the 1980s rom-com classic “Pretty Woman” at 7 p.m. Thursday. All seats are $5, and concessions including beer, wine, spirits, snacks and refreshments, are available. For more, visit riograndetheatre.org.

Thursday’s live music schedule includes High Desert Brewing Co. (8 to 11 p.m.).

Friday, Jan. 11

Friday’s live music schedule includes Verde Ale House at Red Hawk (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.); Tanner Huston at The Game (7 to 11 p.m.); and Pecan Grill and Brewery (7 to 10 p.m.).

Saturday, Jan. 12

Nature lovers can start their weekend with a Bird Walk at Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park at 8 a.m. Saturday. The walk is free with park entrance fee; for more, call 528-8696 or email way1mike@yahoo.com.

“Get lost” indoors at the annual Mesilla Valley Outdoor Expo, set for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Las Cruces Convention Center. The premier outdoor and sporting event in southern New Mexico/El Paso region brings together outdoor enthusiasts and vendors to collaborate on the newest industry trends, products and everything related to outdoor fun.

Admission is $8 general admission, $5 military and first responders, and free for children 10 and younger; the expo continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more, visit meetinlascruces.com.

Discover Black History in the Southwest at Leasburg Dam State Park at 10 a.m. Saturday. Join a ranger-led hike of the Buffalo Soldier and Upper and Lower Mogollon Trails, and experience the classic Chihuahuan Desert uplands and the riverine, riparian environments along the Rio Grande. Experience a landscape most similar to what the Spanish explorers of more than 300 years ago witnessed. Learn about some of the more famous and lesser known African-American history of the area. See and feel the rare and unique geothermal springs and the aquatic plants and animals that are sustained by these waters, even in winter. A $5 per vehicle day-use fee applies. For directions and more, visit bit.ly/2P8Hnr8.

The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum will host two programs on Saturday.

The museum will host a basic spinning wheel class in the education classroom from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will learn how to card, use a drop spindle, and try various kinds of spinning wheels. Fiber and equipment will be available to use, however if you have your own wheel please bring it. Class is $20 per person and space is limited. For more, contact LuAnn Kilday at 522-4100 or luannr.kilday@state.nm.us.

In this week’s Crafts for Kids, children will animals at the museum then decorate their own farm animal piggy bank. This activity is free with regular admission of $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $3 ages 4-17.

For more, visit nmfarmandranchmuseum.org.

The Las Cruces Museum of Art’s weekly Artventurous program from 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday, in the lobby between the Museum of Art and the Museum of Nature and Science. Each month features a different art appreciation theme and a different subject each week. January’s theme is “Geometric Art Techniques and Styles,” and this week’s program is “Cactus Origami.” For more, call 541-2137.

Visit the historic Rio Grande Theatre for an unforgettable night of fun and laughter with comedian John “The Shamp” Misquez and his “The Stupidy Tour” at 7 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $8 or four for $24; concessions including beer, wine, spirits, snacks and refreshments, are available. For tickets and more, visit riograndetheatre.org.

Saturday’s live music schedule includes Julio Ortiz at Sombra Antigua Winery (2 to 6 p.m.); Los Latinos at The Game (7 to 11 p.m.); High Desert Brewing Co. (8 to 11 p.m.); and Pecan Grill & Brewery (9 p.m.).

Sunday, Jan. 13

On Sunday, don’t miss day two of the Mesilla Valley Outdoor Expo, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Las Cruces Convention Center. Visit meetinlascruces.com for more info.

Sunday’s live music schedule includes Travis Manning at Sombra Antigua Winery (2:30 to 5:30 p.m.).

The Rail Readers Book Club will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Las Cruces Railroad Museum. Edward Marston’s standalone novel “A Ticket to Oblivion, the 11th in the “Railway Detective” series, will be discussed. When two women board a non-stop train but fail to get off at their destination, Detective Robert Colbeck, Scotland Yard’s famous Railway Detective, is called in to solve the mystery of their disappearance. The Rail Readers Book Club meets the third Wednesday of every month. For more, visit lascruces.org/museums or call 528-3444.

Next Weekend: Jan. 17-20

Next weekend, visit the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum for its Crafts for Kids program; and visit the Rio Grande Theatre for movie screenings including “Minions” and “The Godfather.”

Plan Ahead: Later in January, witness the unveiling of the 2019 Las Cruces International Film Festival poster at the Las Cruces Museum of Art (Jan. 25); take a behind-the-scenes look at the collections and preservation programs at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum’s Antique Treasures Day (Jan. 26); and catch the next generation of comedy stars as Best of The Second City comes to the Rio Grande Theatre (Jan. 26).